myelatelia
Noun: A congenital or developmental defect, abnormality, or imperfection in the structure of the spinal cord.
This is a highly specialized medical term. It is used in clinical, anatomical, and pathological contexts to describe a condition present from birth or arising during development where the spinal cord is malformed or incomplete. It is not used in everyday conversation.
- The neonatal diagnosis indicated a severe case of myelatelia.
- Researchers are studying the genetic factors that contribute to myelatelia.
- The condition, a form of myelatelia, resulted in impaired neurological function.
The term is often found in differential diagnoses, medical literature, and detailed anatomical descriptions. It may be used in conjunction with more specific terms denoting the type or location of the defect.
- Myelodysplasia (n): A broader term for defective development of the spinal cord, often used similarly.
- Myelomeningocele (n): A specific type of severe spinal cord defect where the meninges and spinal cord protrude.
- Spinal cord defect
- Spinal dysraphism (a related category of disorders)
Myelatelia is a compound word formed from Greek roots: myelo- (marrow, referring to the spinal cord) and atel- (incomplete, imperfect). It describes a state of incomplete development. It is crucial to distinguish this term from conditions affecting the vertebrae (e.g., spina bifida, which often accompanies myelatelia but refers specifically to the bones).
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any developmental defect of the spinal cord